Memorize & Ponder for Sunday Aug 24, 2014
What it means to be saved by Jesus, the Christ: Be Humble
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NRSV)
I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, beg you
to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
with all humility and gentlenss,
with patience, bearing one another in love,
making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace
Throughout 2014, the Christian community at Brentwood Presbyterian Church is getting to know Jesus, the Christ, in a refreshing and transformative way. We invite you to listen for what the Spirit is saying in the text, then question how those insights might change the ways you see things and act in the world. Share your thoughts during the week on the meaning the Spirit creates for you in this text by posting a comment here.
A Provocative Pondering
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us provoke one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together … (Hebrews 10:23-25a)
The introduction to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians connects directly to our sermon conversation last week about holiness. The letter is addressed to the ‘saints’, the ‘holy ones’. In Greek, the word is hagoi. A key mark of those called to be holy, to be whole, to flourish in all the grace and gifts God provides to step into our calling as friends and agents of God’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah, is humility.
The Greek word for that attitude and behaviour is tapeinphrosyne. It suggests thinking and acting with a concern for the welfare of others. That’s one of the key ways our holiness – always a gift from God in our calling to be blessings – shows up in the world. We are not called to arrogant or aggressive. We are called to be humble and concerned, seeking ways to bless others and ourselves as we live in the energy of God or live into God’s glory.
The text from Ephesians this week says salvation has to do with being humble. What does that mean for you? Give it some thought this week and we’ll explore the theme further next Sunday. Remember that you can start a conversation about this question on our website at brentwoodpc.ca
Join us in our study groups and worship services to ponder together what the Spirit is teaching us through this text.